Mug Rugs are the latest craze in quilting. They make a cute gift by adding some hot cocoa mix, specialty coffees, teas and cookies inside the mug. Perfect for that person you would like to give a little something to but have fun out of ideas. They make a great "Get Well" or "Thinking About You" gift.
They go together quickly, so pull out your fabrics and start twisting!
The first three pictures show mugs I have gotten on sale or at the Salvation Army. You don't have to choose a holiday theme, so the sky is the limit.
For each mug rug, you will need:
*Four-5" squares of fabric (select two light and dark)--see more details on selecting fabrics in photos at the end of this post.
*Two-3 1/2" strips of WOW (white on white) fabric 9 1/2" long
*Two-3 1/2" strips of WOW fabric 15 1/2" long
*Two- 1/2" strips of tonal fabric for inner border 9 1/2" long
*Two- 1 1/2" strips of tonal fabric for inner border 11 1/2" long
*One-13 1/2" piece of cotton backing (do not use polyester)
*One-15" square of backing fabric
*Bias binding
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| After viewing the suitable fabrics for twister projects listed at the end of this post, select two darks and two lights that coordinate with your mug. High contrast is key to making a great looking twister project! |
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| Sew the square together using 1/4" seam allowance. Add the two side (9 1/2" ) WOW strips and always press towards the dark. Add the two top WOW (15 1/2") and press. |
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| The twister tool is made by using a 3 1/2" square and marking 3/4" of an inch from each corner as shown above. Mark the cross hatch lines using a Sharpie (it can be removed with rubbing alcohol. IMPORTANT: MARK ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR TEMPLATE "B" FOR BOTTOM--SEE THE FONS & PORTER ON THE BOTTOM OF MY TEMPLATE |
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| Starting at the top of your project, place the template with the cross hatch marks on the seam lines. NOTE THE BOTTOM OF THE TEMPLATE POSITION. THIS MUST BE THE SAME ON ALL PIECES. |
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| This is how your first row looks once it is marked. By the way, I use and ink pen as you will be cutting on the marked lines. Use a pencil if you wish. |
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| Here is the entire pieced marked. You should have a total of nine squares marked. |
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| Cut the pieces on the marked line and put back to together. How fun it is the first time when you see the pattern as you lay them out! |
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| Carefully pin the first and second pieces together. Sew and press. |
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| Add the third row. Sew and press. |
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| Here are your three rows ready to sew. |
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| Sew all row together and press. |
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| Sew on your two inner border strips (1 1/2" x 9 1/2"). Press toward the border. |
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| Sew the two remaining borders (1 1/2" x 11 1/2") and press towards the border. |
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| Layer your project and pin for machine quilting. I just used Sulky polyester invisible thread (monofilament) and stitched in the ditch and along the inner border. |
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I used 2 1/2" double-bias binding for the edging. Cute, isn't it?
If you wish, you can use a different themed fabric (like spring or fall) for the back and then it could be used for multiple seasons.
Here are the examples of the twister fabrics do's and don'ts: |
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| This is a don't group-notice the large amounts of open background and large prints. These will make your twister muddled. |
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| These are good prints-small prints, little or no open background-lots of movement and visual interest. |
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| Again, more don'ts fabrics |
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| These are good fabrics--small prints with lots of movement |
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To make a larger project, such as a quilt, there is a larger twister template. You can make your own using an 8" square and marking in 2" on each side as shown. and make the cross hatching. Be sure to mark the bottom! This template uses 10" squares. |
Happy twisting!
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